ABOUT BEEECHES AND 

 BOOTS. 



My father took me when a boy at school on my way home 

 for the holidays into the old House of Commons three 

 months before it was burnt down, and the thing which 

 struck me most was seeing some honourable members dressed 

 in top-boots, and wearing their hats. This circumstance 

 connected with the fact that — as I was informed and verily 

 believe — I was brought into the world by a Wiltshire 

 country doctor who had on top-boots, breeches, and spurs, 

 induces me to think that I have a mission to preach upon 

 that costume. The doctor's story is unquestionably true, as 

 the old nurse told me that the doctor galloped all the way, 

 and was only just in time to meet me, as I made my bow 

 sooner than was expected, and began life by disturbing the 

 family arrangements. 



I saw the last pair of tops which ever carried a peer to his 

 seat in Parliament in the year 1846. The members of the 

 Upper House were in that year sitting in the Painted 

 Chamber, pending the completion of their present House, 

 and the owner of the boots was a dear old gentleman, a 

 marquis, name forgotten, who stuck to his leather breeches, 

 top-boots, buff double-breasted waistcoat, blue coat, gilt 

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